“Gerald Hladik is a consummate clinician educator who embodies the academic mission of UNC Medicine, along with the research collaboration and caregiving that is our hallmark,” said Dr. Falk. “He’s not only dedicated his work to advancing education about kidney disease and its treatment, he truly is a master clinician educator, one that we call a doctor’s doctor, a mentor who takes care of all.”

Dr. Hladik is the Doc J. Thurston Distinguished Professor of Medicine. He’s also the National Education Director for Maintenance of Certification for the American Society of Nephrology (ASN). In this world-renowned role, he serves as co-editor for the Nephrology Self-Assessment Program, the premier continuing education program for ASN. But he’s most loyal to the community that first inspired him.

Dr. Hladik came to UNC as an internal medicine resident in 1989, where a distinct learning environment combined with remarkable faculty and fellows introduced him to an area of medicine he most wanted to pursue. Dr. Hladik became a nephrology fellow in 1994 and joined the faculty in 1996. He served as Medical Director of UNC Hospital’s Acute Dialysis Program until this year, and was medical director of Carolina Dialysis-Carrboro for 13 years. He’s also served as the Program Director of the nephrology fellowship program since 2009. Most recently, he served as Interim Chief for the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension.

“I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to serve as Division Chief at UNC,” said Dr. Hladik. “To follow Dr. Ronald Falk and the amazing leaders in nephrology at UNC is truly humbling. This is such an exciting time in nephrology—we are on the cusp of major breakthroughs that will transform the lives of people living with kidney disease.”

His academic mission is to improve education in nephrology spanning from foundational training in kidney physiology and nephrology during medical school, residency, and fellowship, through advanced education for practicing nephrologists.

“I am indebted to the mentorship and collaboration of Dr. Ronald Falk and the incredible team of colleagues and staff that he has built over the past 30 years,” said Dr. Hladik. “I look forward to working with our amazing faculty, staff, and trainees to strengthen UNC’s already robust work in nephrology research, education and clinical care.”